Onions are toxic to dogs. The toxicity is dose dependent, so the bigger the animal, the more
onion need be consumed to cause a toxicity. Onion toxicity causes a Heinz body anemia. Heinz
bodies are small bubble-like projections which protrude from a red blood cell and can be seen
when the cells are stained. This "bubble" is a weak spot in the red blood cell and, therefore,
the cell has a decreased life-span and ruptures prematurely.

If numerous red cells are affected and rupture, anemia can result. It is a
form of hemolytic anemia. Onions are only one of the substances which can
cause Heinz body anemia. Other substances such as Acetominophen (Tylenol)
and benzocaine-containing topical preparations can also cause Heinz body
anemia in the dog.

The toxic effect of the onions are the same whether the product is raw,
cooked or dehydrated. The hemolytic episode usually occurs several days
after onion ingestion (lowest hematocrit around day 5 post ingestion). Daily
feeding of onions could have a cumulative effect due to ongoing formation of
Heinz bodies versus a single exposure with a wide gap until the next
exposure, allowing the bone marrow time to regenerate the prematurely
destroyed red cells.

The cat is even more susceptible. Recently, Gerber began to add onion powder
to all its meat baby foods. They are labeled as "better tasting". Since baby
food is often used in sick cats that are not eating (to stimulate their
appetites), there was concern that the onion powder would cause a Heinz body
anemia in these cats. Within a week or two of the change, there were
numerous reports of Heinz body anemia in cats receiving Gerber baby food in
their diets.

I strongly recommend NO ONIONS for dogs. There is no benefit and certainly
the potential to cause harm.

Written by Dr. Wendy Wallner, DVM

NOTE: Garlic is safe for your dog used in moderation and can help with a myriad of things such
as gas, flea prevention and it has natural antibiotic properties.